China Think Tank Invigorated by New Members

Sixty-one Chinese and 12 foreign scholars were recently inducted as members into the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASAD), bringing total Chinese and foreign membership to 777 and 82, respectively.

These inductees are the first new members since the Academy revised its charter to cut administrative interference in 2014.

As the highest national academic title in science and technology, CAS membership is a lifelong honor. “Yet it is regarded more as a beginning,” said LI Peng, a new female member this year. “New research and academic efforts are needed to make oneself worthy.”

The Academic Divisions of CAS play an important role as the top think tank involved in China's economic and social development. The Academic Divisions produce dozens of consulting reports and suggestions on key issues every year, supporting state decision-making on economic and social development, national security and progress in science and technology.

Members also have a responsibility to model academic integrity and advance their fields.

“You have more to do. You must set an academic example for younger scholars and newcomers,” said ZHOU Qi, a researcher from the Institute of Zoology, CAS, also a newly elected member this year.